“Some wounds never heal of their own accord. One such wound is America’s legacy of slavery and racial injustice. It is the “original sin” that lies behind many of the continuing divisions in US society – and it’s time the country properly atoned for it. I used to be against the idea of slavery reparations on practical grounds. How would they be paid? Would recent African immigrants qualify for them? Would Oprah Winfrey? But like the Democratic presidential hopefuls who have recently taken up this cause, I believe we can no longer let such logistical questions stand in the way of action. Reparations would indeed be hard to execute, but our disunited nation requires “a concrete gesture of respect that makes possible the beginning of a new chapter in our common life”.  (David Brooks in The New York Times)

But what form reparations should take?  Some version of “40 acres and a mule”, (the promise made to freed men after the Civil War, later broken?) A lump sum? Savings accounts for poor children? Home-buying help in mainly black neighborhoods – these could cost trillions and most people would call them political non-starters,  a huge gift to Donald Trump.  The Democratic Presidential candidates are certainly in danger of shooting themselves in all their feet – no one has a thought- out plan ; they are simply perceived to be angling for the black vote.  (Based on an article in The Week, 16 March 2019)

 I have a specific idea: an “Attone for Slavery Fund”, a special African American education fund that would improve the buildings and facilities of schools mainly catering to blacks,  supplementing teachers’ salaries in order to attract the best teachers, and giving black children a better, more equal start in life.  The fund would be paid out of a tax on salaries over $500,000 a year ( this is a bit more difficult to loudly oppose than just an amorphous blanket tax on the rich for the sake of it).

A little move toward social equality.